Shakeel Ahmed’s unsuccessful attempt to correct a clerical error in his son's birth certificate raises concerns of administrative negligence
NUH – In a disturbing case that sheds light on ongoing issues of inefficiency and negligence within government institutions, Shakeel Ahmed, a resident of Nuh, has been facing unnecessary hardships for over six months due to a clerical error in his son’s birth certificate. The mistake identifies him as a girl, and Shakeel has been left navigating endless rounds of municipal offices without any resolution.
Shakeel’s ordeal began when his wife gave birth to their son, Taimur Khan, at a general hospital in Nuh on 29 October 2024. After the birth, Shakeel approached the Nuh Municipal Council for a birth certificate. The birth certificate was eventually provided, but it contained a critical error — despite all other information being correct, it listed Taimur as a daughter instead of a son.
“It was a simple mistake, but it has caused me so much trouble. It has been six months, and I’m still running from one office to another,” Shakeel Ahmed told reporters.
Despite multiple visits and assurances from the municipal staff that the mistake would be corrected, Shakeel’s efforts have proven fruitless. With no progress made, he finds himself struggling to access basic services for his son, such as vaccinations and government schemes that require accurate identification. The clerical error has complicated his life in many ways, as he has been unable to proceed with important tasks due to the incorrect documentation.
“This is not just my problem. Many Muslim families in this region face the same issue. They have to fight with the system to correct mistakes that were never their fault,” Shakeel continued. “No one knows how many others are going through the same struggle in silence?”
Shakeel’s situation is far from unique. It highlights a systemic issue where Muslims in the region, particularly those who are not well-versed in navigating the bureaucratic inefficiency, face disproportionate challenges when dealing with clerical errors or discrepancies in official documents. For many, a small mistake in name spelling or gender identification can become a bureaucratic nightmare, with little to no support from municipal staff or government officials.
Despite the clear mistake, the Nuh Municipal Council has continued to delay the correction, and the officials involved have shown little urgency in addressing the issue. “It’s just a minor clerical error, but for me, it’s been a major issue,” Shakeel said, frustration evident in his voice.
Shakeel’s case raises important questions about the effectiveness of local government bodies and the rights of citizens to accurate and timely documentation. As Shakeel’s situation continues to unfold, many are left wondering how long it will take for the Nuh Municipal Council to correct a mistake that should never have occurred in the first place.
Shakeel Ahmed is still waiting for the correction to be made, with no clear timeline provided by the municipal staff. His case stands as a stark reminder of the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens in their interactions with government institutions, especially when it comes to ensuring that their records are accurate.
